PUPILS at Cherry Orchard First School, Pershore, are developing a wide range of skills thanks to a initiative that involves being in the great outdoors.

Children in reception and Year 1 take part in Welly Wednesday every week and go outside for two hours, whatever the weather.

They go out kitted out in wellies and waterproofs and take part in a range of activities as part of the school's bid to become a Forest School.

In November, the pupils planted 100 trees in the school grounds so they can develop their own wooded area.

Headteacher Sarah Bitcon said the children love Welly Wednesday. "They get quite excited about it", she said. "The emphasis is on the children to develop their language, social and thinking skills."

Welly Wednesday is a long term project at the school which will be rolled out for all pupils when Cherry Orchard becomes an accredited Forest School.